By Charles Young, WV News
WASHINGTON (WV News) — West Virginia’s promised federal funding for broadband is now in doubt.
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced plans Wednesday to pause and perform a “rigorous review” of the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
West Virginia was slated to receive $1.2 billion through the Biden-era program.
“Under my leadership, the Commerce Department has launched a rigorous review of the BEAD program,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in a statement. “The Department is ripping out the Biden Administration’s pointless requirements. It is revamping the BEAD program to take a tech-neutral approach that is rigorously driven by outcomes, so states can provide internet access for the lowest cost.”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said she appreciates efforts to improve the program.